AUCKLAND, New Zealand(AP) Top-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy won five traight service breaks to beat Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-2 Wednesday and advance to the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic.
Shahar Peer of Israel ignored a noisy demonstration by a small group protesting Israel's treatment of Palestinians and beat Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-0. Police made one arrest as they dispersed protesters who gathered outside the stadium, banged drums and chanted throughout Peer's appearance on an outer court.
The protest failed to break Peer's rhythm or concentration. She won 74 percent of first-serve points, never faced a break point, and her strong return of service allowed her to convert five of 11 break-point chances.
About 10 protesters from the group Global Truth and Justice staged demonstrations outside the downtown Auckland stadium during both of Peer's matches so far and wrote to Peer earlier this week calling on her to withdraw from the tournament.
Suarez Navarro beat Pennetta in straight sets in their last tournament meeting in the round of 16 at the 2008 French Open, but Pennetta was dominant Wednesday in hot and windy conditions.
I'm really happy. This match was very tough because I have lost against her a few times before,'' Pennetta said.Also we are friends and it is not easy to play against one of your best friends on the tour.''
Third-seeded Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium converted five of seven break points to beat Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania 6-2, 6-2 while Maria Kirilenko of Russia beat Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 6-3. Wickmayer is making her return to the WTA Tour after a Belgian civil court last month lifted a one-year ban for violation of anti-doping violations.
Fourth-seeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Sania Mirza of India 6-0, 6-3. Schiavone broke Mirza three times in the second set and clinched the match with an ace on her first match point.
In the first set I played really well,'' Schiavone said.I was really impressive, I served really well and there was no chance for her.''